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Stargate Command:
Doctor Brightman put her scanner away and smiled at Teal’c and Liesel. “It’s looking really good,” she said. “Have you been having contractions?”
Liesel nodded her head, tightening her grip on Teal’c’s hand. “Not many and the last one was a couple of days ago,” she said softly. “I’m due very soon, aren’t I?”
“You are,” the doctor said. “I estimate you’ll go into labor within the week.”
Teal’c brushed a soft kiss onto her cheek and she smiled up at him. How she loved this man! She’d spent the last six months with him on this world, and had grown to love her new home also. She really wanted to marry him, but she wanted to do so when she was able to walk properly once more.
Her small frame had suffered terribly throughout the pregnancy – the last time Jack had seen her, he’d joked that she looked like a life raft. She’d cried for three hours after he’d said that. Despite his promotion to Major General and new responsibilities as head of Homeworld Security, he could be amazingly tactless.
She sighed again, unhappy for Sam. Upon their return to Earth, she’d taken up her duties as leader of SG-1 once more, now under the command of General Landry, but the sparkle had gone from her eyes. Liesel suspected that Jack’s long absence from Colorado had something to do with it – he hadn’t visited for over three months.
She and Sam had become good friends over the last six months – Sam had admitted that she loved Jack, but he didn’t seem to feel the same way. Liesel hardly considered herself an expert on affairs of the heart, but the softness in Jack’s deep brown eyes whenever he looked at Sam gave him away every time. If he ever learned how expressive those chocolate orbs were, he’d start wearing contact lenses.
She sat up and swung her legs off the bed. “Teal’c,” she said.
He smiled down at her and put a strong arm around her waist to help her off the bed. He didn’t say the words very often, but the softness in his black eyes and his tenderness with her showed her every day how much he loved her. “Soon,” he said, putting his hand to her extended abdomen.
She shifted uncomfortably and sighed. “It can’t come soon enough,” she admitted. She’d never been so uncomfortable in her life. She put her arm around him. “Let’s go home,” she said.
“Doctor?” Teal’c queried, clearly asking for permission.
“Okay, Teal’c,” she said, “but Liesel, I’d like you to come back in a couple of days. I want you under my care for those last days.”
“Okay,” Liesel said dutifully. “Thank you, Doctor.” She snuggled into Teal’c’s large body as they walked out of the Infirmary, Teal’c shortening his stride to accommodate her halting movements. She winced as one of the babies delivered a sharp kick to her ribs. She was sorely tempted at this stage to walk back into the Infirmary and demand an inducement, but refrained. Her physiology was slightly different to that of Earth-born humans – Doctor Brightman had no idea how such drugs might work on her.
And she was off the mission list for the time being. She’d broken her leg on their last mission. Not during a battle – oh no. She’d turned to tease Daniel about something and had fallen down a manhole. She chuckled – thank God the General wasn’t here any more! He’d never have let her hear the end of it.
She sighed suddenly. He’d left the SGC five months ago after Hammond had retired, and he’d taken over as head of Homeworld Security. It was an important career move, and she was happy for him. But … a small part of her had hoped that now they were no longer in the chain of command they’d be able to be together.
It hadn’t worked out that way, though. Shortly after they’d returned from P3X 449, he’d begun seeing a CIA agent who’d been assigned to investigate suspected Trust operatives at the SGC. The relationship hadn’t lasted long, but it had convinced Sam that the General had gotten over whatever feelings he might have had for her.
She set her jaw and entered some equations onto her computer. The hell with Jack O’Neill – if he was too stubborn to see how great they could be, then she wasn’t going to waste any more of her life pining for something she couldn’t have.
The door opened. Without looking up, she snarled, “I’m busy, Felger – take a hike.”
There was silence. “Ah, not Felger, Carter, but thanks a lot,” her former CO drawled. “Ya know I love that guy.”
“Sir.” She straightened up in her seat, ignoring the twinge from her healing leg. “Is General Landry expecting you?”
“In a half hour,” the General replied. “Thought I’d come bother you while I’m waiting.” He picked up one of the parts to the reactor. “Another doohickey, huh? Nice to know some things don’t change.”
“I guess not, sir,” she said, wishing he didn’t look so damn good. Dressed in Class As, he looked lean, powerful and sexy as hell. “How are things in Washington?”
“Ah, same old, same old,” O’Neill said, putting the part down and fiddling with her laptop. In all the time she’d known him, she’d never seen him still when he was well. He was always fiddling with something; either Daniel’s artifacts or her ‘doohickeys’ – until he was ordered away. Well, Daniel could do that; he was a civilian. “Getting used to it, but I still keep looking around when a General calls me ‘sir’.” He pushed the laptop away. “What about you, Carter? How d’ya bang up your leg?”
“Off world, sir,” Sam replied, praying that he wouldn’t ask what had happened.
O’Neill smirked. “Ya know; I already got the 411 from Daniel,” he said.
“Peachy,” Sam muttered, going red. Here it comes, she thought.
“Shame on you, Carter – picking on a civilian. Didn’t I teach you any better than that?”
“Well, sir, someone has to take your place as Daniel’s chief tormentor,” Sam said, unable to help herself. “Teal’c still doesn’t get our humor, and Captain Roberts has no sense of humor.”
O’Neill chuckled. “Speaking of Teal’c, how’re he and Liesel doing? She’s gotta be due soon.”
“Another few days,” Sam said. “Sir; if you see her, please don’t tease her about her size. She cried for hours the last time you did that. I think Teal’c was ready to dismember you.”
“Ouch.” Her former CO winced dramatically. “Noted, Carter. Thanks for the heads-up.” He stuffed his fists in his pockets, bounced on the balls of his feet and coughed.
She’d known Jack O’Neill long enough to know that the little cough meant he was embarrassed. “Are you okay, sir?” she asked.
“Fine,” he said. “Anyway, better go – I want to catch up with Daniel before I see Hank.” He gave her a cheeky smile. “Hey, Carter; what say we all get together later? It’s been a long time since we’ve had a team night.”
She smiled, unable to resist that smirk. “I’d like that, sir,” she said. “Just let me know what time and where.”
“Yeah, sure, ya betcha!” he said and left.
When they’d come back from 449, she’d withdrawn from him. He’d obviously hurt her when he’d rejected her that night, but he hadn’t wanted to take advantage of her vulnerability.
Then he’d met Agent Kerry Johnson of the CIA and they’d become involved. It hadn’t been serious for either of them – there was a significant age gap, for a start, and she’d known his heart was elsewhere. Still, they’d had a good time, and had parted with no regrets when he’d accepted Hammond’s old job.
Much to his surprise, he enjoyed his new role as head of Homeworld Security. He oversaw the SGC, Area 51 and the Alpha and Beta Sites. And he managed to get off world more often than when he’d run the SGC. Somehow, his aide – a gem of a Lieutenant – managed to finagle him onto the Prometheus at least once a month to personally visit the off world sites.
But, despite all that, he found that he missed Carter. He missed tormenting her in the lab, and her shy smiles at his silly quips. She never treated him like he was stupid, would always explain what she was doing, and seemed to enjoy his company. He missed the big blue eyes widen as he and Daniel ribbed each other, and he missed the shock of blonde hair that smelled like apples.
Shit. You really are a wuss, O’Neill!, he scolded himself. Turning round, he strode back to Carter’s … Sam’s … lab and walked in before he could change his mind.
“Sir?” Sam said, barely turning to look at him as he bounded in.
He grabbed the sides of her stool, spun it round, and pulled her up against him, his lips seizing hers in a passionate kiss. She froze for a split second, then her hands tangled in his short hair and she opened her lips to his, her tongue tangling with his. “Missed ya, Sam,” he muttered, parting from her sweet mouth reluctantly.
“I noticed,” she said, her chest heaving as she stared at him with wide eyes.
“Sam; I’ve never been good at the words, but … I love you,” he said. “You want to give us a go?”
Sam touched his lips with a finger. “Yeah, sure, ya betcha!” she said, pulling his mouth to hers for a second course.
Teal’c went over to her and knelt down in front of her. “You are beautiful, Liesel,” he said, “and this will be over soon. We will have two children, and they will feel the love that I have for you.”
She favored him with a watery smile that was a far cry from her former dazzling one. “Oh-h-h-h,” she mourned, “I’m being horrible, aren’t I? It might be better if you take me back to the SGC – I’m just making you unhappy.”
“I’m unhappy when you’re unhappy, my love,” he said gently, taking her hands in his, then leaning forward and placing a kiss to her distended abdomen. He knew that she’d become increasingly uncomfortable during the last month and he felt helpless – this wasn’t the kind of thing where hurting someone would help. Although he had been sorely tempted when O’Neill had made a tactless remark about her expanding girth several months earlier.
He got up and sat on the bed, putting his arms around her for a gentle hug as her tears fell again. She’d been very emotional the last couple of weeks – one minute crying, the next laughing, the next shouting profanities. She nuzzled into his neck. “I love you, T,” she muttered, nibbling gently at the crook of his neck.
“I love you, too,” he replied. He swung his legs up onto the bed and pulled her between his legs, letting her rest against his chest. He put his hands to her shoulders and began rubbing them gently.
Her head flopped forward. “Ohh,” she nearly growled. “Gott in Himmel; sehr gut. Oh, ich liebe dir.” She turned awkwardly in his embrace and pressed a hard kiss to his lips, her tongue dueling with his as she slid her hands down his bare chest.
She tugged urgently at his pants. “I want you,” she said breathlessly, biting down gently on his lower lip.
He closed his eyes as her small hands skimmed over his body. “Oh, holy crap,” she moaned suddenly.
His eyes flew open. She was sitting between his legs, staring with wide eyes at the dampness under her. “I think I’m in labor, Teal’c,” she said.
She blinked out of her quite possibly erotic daydream and smiled at him. “Hey, Daniel,” she said.
“Uh … get dressed in the dark this morning, did you?” he asked, blushing slightly as he took in her disheveled appearance.
“What?” She looked down and seemed to just realize that her black tee shirt was inside out and hanging out of her pants. “Shit!” she mumbled, going bright red. “Okay, Daniel; get that stupid grin off your face,” she said sharply. “I might have a broken leg, but I can still kick your butt.”
He just grinned again. “It’s about time,” he said. “You two were meant for each other.” He started as Jack burst into the lab, his hair sticking madly up as usual. “Hey, Jack,” he said.
“Hey, kids; we’re gonna have babies!” he said, bouncing on his toes like a child with a great big secret, despite the fact that he was over 50. “T and Liesel are in the infirmary right now.”
“Doctor; can you not do anything?” Teal’c asked.
To anyone else, he would have sounded his usual stoic self. Liesel knew better, though, by the hand that shook as he stroked her hair. Yes, he’d been through this before, but Drey’auc had been a tall strong Jaffa female, not a small relatively frail woman. And the babies were big like their father.
“She’s fully dilated now, Teal’c,” Doctor Brightman replied. “By the time the drugs took effect, it would be too late.”
“Oh, gods!” Liesel closed her eyes as a fresh spasm ripped through her abdomen. She had no energy left for pushing and could only cry helplessly at her own weakness. What under the suns had made her think she could do this the natural way? In her arrogance, she’d dismissed Doctor Brightman’s recommendation that the babies be delivered by Cesarean section. And now, her babies were going to pay the price. “Oh … oh!” she whimpered as a searing agony tore through her. “The babies!”
“Teal’c, Liesel; I know you dismissed a C-section, but the babies are in distress,” Doctor Brightman said after consulting the sonogram. “We must get them out soon.”
Liesel sobbed. “Just … save our babies, Doctor,” she whispered, unable to see for the tears pouring down her face.
Teal’c clasped her hand then kissed her lips. “I love you, Liesel,” he reassured her.
“I … love you too, Teal’c,” she mumbled, wincing as the doctor injected her with an anesthetic.
“Hey, T,” O’Neill said, clasping his shoulder. “She’ll be okay – she’s pretty damn stubborn.”
Teal’c nodded – this was true. But it didn’t stop him worrying. All her spirit could not force her frail body to do something for which it wasn’t ready. “Thank you, O’Neill,” he said.
The doors opened to admit Colonel Carter and Daniel Jackson. They’d all stayed awake, awaiting the new arrivals – after all, these were the first children for SG-1. Colonel Carter’s lips were red and she appeared disheveled. O’Neill bore a similar appearance – it looked as if the two stubborn warriors had finally found each other. He would remember to congratulate them later.
“How’s she doing, Teal’c?” Daniel Jackson asked.
“Not well,” Teal’c admitted. “Doctor Brightman has taken her into surgery – the babies were becoming distressed.”
“Millions of women have C-sections, Teal’c,” Colonel Carter said, putting her own hand on his shoulder. “She’ll be sore for a few days, but it’ll be worth it when she …”
The unmistakable wail of an indignant new life rang throughout the Infirmary. “Number one!” O’Neill said, punching Teal’c jubilantly in the shoulder. “You go, Liesel!”
Teal’c held his breath. What of number two? Then a higher pitched wail joined the first one. “Number two,” he announced, unable to help the idiotic grin that graced his features. “I am a father again.”
“Congrats, big guy,” O’Neill said.
Colonel Carter wrapped her arms around his large frame and squeezed him tightly. He gasped – occasionally, he forgot that her slim body belied her strong warrior tones. “It’s wonderful, Teal’c,” she said, her face glowing and her blue eyes shining. “Get in there, Daddy!”
Teal’c looked at Daniel. The young man was evidently happy for him, yet a shadow filled his eyes. Then he recalled that Sha’re/Amaunet had given birth to Apophis’ child – a Harsesis – shortly before she’d died. One of Amaunet’s attendants had taken the child to Kheb and delivered it into the care of Oma Desala. Daniel had never seen the child since that one occasion on Kheb.
Daniel grabbed his hand and shook it enthusiastically. “Congratulations, Teal’c,” he said. “You deserve this. Now get in there and kiss that woman!”
Teal’c dipped his head. “I’m happy to do so, Daniel Jackson,” he replied.
Major General Jack O’Neill tugged uneasily at his tie then gasped as he saw an angel float down the aisle. “She looks beautiful,” he said.
Teal’c nodded his head. “Indeed,” he replied, “but pay attention to your own wife, O’Neill.”
Happy to do so, Jack grinned at Sam, who was acting as matron of honor. They’d married last month whilst vacationing at his cabin in Minnesota, and he’d never been so happy in years. After all these years, they were finally together.
Liesel walked steadily down the aisle wearing a slim cream sheath and carrying a spray of lilac-colored roses. She’d worked hard to regain her figure after the twins – a girl and a boy; Kirsten and Richard – and her efforts had paid off. She was stunning, though not as beautiful as Jack’s wife.
“Go on, big guy,” he said, pushing his friend toward General (ret.) Hammond, who was officiating. As neither Teal’c nor Liesel had been born on Earth, it would have been too complicated to have an outsider perform the ceremony. And Teal’c had been honored when Hammond had agreed to do so.
Teal’c joined his fiancé at the altar, and for a minute Jack chuckled at the incongruity of their sizes. Talk about the long and the short of it, he thought. But her iron will made her at least ten feet tall, and you tended to forget the height difference after seeing how well they suited each other.
His wife elbowed him roughly in the ribs. “Behave, mister!” she said in low tones.
“Yes, ma’am.” Geez; he was whipped but good.
Sam smirked then took his hand. “By the way, Jack; you’d better start thinking what you want for Father’s Day,” she said.
“Huh?” Okay; so he’d never been the sharpest tack in the box. Then he gaped at her. “You’re pregnant?” he murmured.
“Three months gone,” she replied in a similar low tone. “But let’s not tell everyone today, huh? This is Teal’c’s and Liesel’s day.”
“Baby; you’re the best,” he said, dropping a kiss onto her cheek as they turned to face Hammond.
“Indeed,” he replied solemnly, although the curve of his lips gave the lie to his solemnity. He released her hand, then took the opportunity to slide his own hands around her waist, nuzzling the back of her neck.
“What a year,” she sighed, turning in his embrace to kiss him deeply, uncaring of the indulgent laughter of some of the party-goers. Just thirteen months ago, she had met a gentle giant. Now she was married to him and they had a beautiful son and daughter. “I love you, you know,” she said.
He pulled her up tightly against him and nibbled gently on her lower lip. “Would they resent it if we slipped away early?” he asked teasingly.
She shivered with a matching desire. “I think so,” she said reluctantly. “But maybe we could disappear for a short while.”
“Mmmmm,” he growled deeply, sliding a large hand down her hip.
“Oh, T; look at Daniel and Nerron.” The two scholars were sitting in a relatively quiet corner, and Daniel wrapped his arms around Nerron’s frame, pulling her to him for a kiss.
Teal’c looked over then smiled. “Indeed,” he said. “I hope they will be happy together – Daniel Jackson is a good man.”
“And Nerron’s a good woman,” Liesel said. She knew that Daniel had been widowed at a young age and that this had left a gaping wound in his soul. But a gentle passion shone in his blue eyes as Nerron leaned into his embrace. Nerron had had her own troubles, and had been just as cautious about giving her heart as Daniel. But now, the two wounded people had found each other.
She smiled as General and Colonel O’Neill came over to them, hands entwined. “Congratulations, you two,” Jack O’Neill said. “If you’re even half as happy as I am, T, you’re one lucky stiff.”
Despite his teasing manner, Liesel knew that his congratulations came from his heart. “Thank you, Jack,” she said, stretching up to give him a kiss on his lean cheek. “You’re a good man; I’m glad you and Sam have found each other.”
“Yeah; it only took them nine years,” Daniel said, coming up to the two couples, his fingers linked with Nerron’s. “Congratulations, Teal’c, Liesel,” he added, kissing Liesel then shaking Teal’c’s hand.
Love. This eclectic group loved each other – whether it was the deep friendship of the men or the passionate love Jack bore for Sam, the love reached out and touched people. Liesel took a glass of champagne and sipped at it. “A toast,” she said. “To love.”
The others raised their own glasses – even Teal’c had consented to a small glass of the wine. “To love,” they echoed.